Hip replacements among obese patients

Obese patients who undergo hip replacement surgery are more likely to suffer from complications, a study has revealed.

According to a paper published in Arthritis Care & Research, obese females are more likely to experience infection after the procedure and suffer from a higher number of dislocations.

In addition, the study - which was conducted by researchers at the Geneva University Hospital in Switzerland - revealed that women are more likely to require revision procedures and tend to report moderately lower functional outcomes and a lower level of satisfaction, probably as a result of the increased likelihood of complications.

The researchers looked at 2,495 hip replacement procedures and noticed that obese women were more likely to suffer from complications than obese men; a pattern which they suggest could be a result of differences in body fat distribution, metabolic response or lower peripheral muscle strength.

"Because our study revealed increased complications among obese women, we suggest that surgeons counsel this group of patients so that they are made aware of this fact," the authors wrote.

"In addition, participating in a weight-loss programme prior to surgery might be beneficial for such patients."